Configurable integrated power delivery module with adaptive power sharing

ABSTRACT

A multi-port charger includes two or more integrated power delivery modules electrically coupled to an AC-to-DC power converter. Each of the integrated power delivery modules includes a module controller in signal communication with a digital communication bus, a USB-PD controller, a switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter which is configured to provide an adjustable output voltage to a sink device via a USB voltage bus, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit in signal communication with the USB-PD controller and the USB voltage bus to generate a digital representation of the output voltage, and a second ADC circuit in signal communication with the USB-PD controller and the USB voltage bus to provide a digital representation of an output current provided by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/368,448, filed Jul. 14, 2022, all of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Many mobile devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers, tabletcomputers, and similar, are shipped from their respective manufacturerwith a single charger. Such chargers typically receive AC power andproduce a DC power output on a single port in accordance with the USB-PD(USB Power Delivery) industry standard. However, some consumers may wishto have a multi-port charger that can supply a DC power output to morethan one upward-facing port device (“sink device”) at a time. Forexample, such consumers may desire a multi-port charger that is operableto charge their cell phone and wireless headphones simultaneously.However, multi-port chargers often must adhere to strict maximum poweroutput limits (e.g., 45 W) as a function of charger spatial volume tolimit a maximum temperature thereof. Therefore, even if a manufacturerincludes two entirely separate charger circuits within a single packageto implement a multi-port charger, as is conventionally done, each ofthose charger circuits must be power limited to provide only a fixedfraction of the total maximum power output limit. For example, twocharger circuits in a single package would be limited by themanufacturer to only provide half of a total maximum power output limit.As a result, sink devices plugged into such multi-port chargers will notcharge as rapidly as compared to plugging each sink device into adiscrete charger.

Additionally, existing multi-port chargers solutions that address someof the problems outlined herein conventionally do not providesubstantial flexibility with regard to configurability orpower-efficient modes of operation.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a multi-port charger includes an AC-to-DC powerconverter that receives an AC input voltage and generates a DC outputvoltage therefrom, and two or more integrated power delivery moduleselectrically coupled to the AC-to-DC power converter and in signalcommunication with a digital communication bus. Each of the integratedpower delivery modules includes a module controller in signalcommunication with the digital communication bus, a USB-PD controller(“PD controller”) in signal communication with the module controller andwhich is configured to be connected to a sink device adhering to a USBstandard, a switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter in signal communicationwith the module controller and the PD controller and which is configuredto provide an adjustable output voltage to the sink device via a USBvoltage bus, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit in signalcommunication with the PD controller and the USB voltage bus to generatea digital representation of the output voltage provided by theswitch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device, and a secondADC circuit in signal communication with the PD controller and the USBvoltage bus to provide a digital representation of an output currentprovided by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device.

In some embodiments, an integrated power delivery module includes amodule controller in signal communication with a digital communicationbus, a USB-PD controller (“PD controller”) in signal communication withthe module controller and which is configured to be connected to a sinkdevice adhering to a USB standard, a switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter in signal communication with the module controller and the PDcontroller and which is configured to receive an input voltage and toprovide an adjustable output voltage to the sink device via a USBvoltage bus, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit in signalcommunication with the PD controller and the USB voltage bus to generatea digital representation of the output voltage provided by theswitch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device, and a secondADC circuit in signal communication with the PD controller and the USBvoltage bus to provide a digital representation of an output currentprovided by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of a prior-art multi-port charger.

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic of a multi-port charger with adaptivepower sharing, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic of a circuit that includes aconfigurable integrated power delivery module of the multi-port chargershown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a simplified schematic of a circuit providing select detailsof the configurable integrated power delivery module included in thecircuit shown in FIG. 3 , in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a simplified schematic of a circuit providing select detailsof the DC-to-DC power converter circuit included in the configurableintegrated power delivery module shown in FIG. 4A, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5 through FIG. 17 provide a simplified example process for adaptivepower-sharing using the multi-port charger shown in FIG. 2 , inaccordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some consumers desire a multi-port charger that is operable to chargemultiple sink devices simultaneously. However, many conventionalmulti-port charger implementations have limited (or zero) flexibilityfor making power contracts with sink devices based upon sink powerrequests and actual power consumption of the sink devices with respectto the available power of the multi-port charger. Therefore, even if amanufacturer includes two entirely separate charger circuits within asingle package to implement a multi-port charger, which isconventionally done, each of those charger circuits must be powerlimited to provide only a fraction of the total maximum power outputlimit. Additionally, some conventional solutions that distribute powerbetween multiple ports do so in a fixed, non-configurable, and/or coarsemanner, which limits flexibility and power efficiency as compared to thetechniques disclosed herein.

Disclosed herein is an integrated power delivery module thatadvantageously communicates with one or more other integrated powerdelivery modules of a multi-port charger. The integrated power delivermodules adaptively and continually control how much power is deliveredto each port of the multi-port charger with high-granularity as powerdemands of the connected sink devices change over time based oncalculated available power. The integrated power delivery modulesadaptively and continually control how much power is delivered to eachport of the multi-port charger in response to temperature changes,priority, battery charge levels, and other status events of theconnected sink devices. The integrated power delivery modules are namedas such because a USB-PD controller is integrated into the same packageas a DC-to-DC power converter. They are operable to configure theDC-to-DC power converter therein into a low-power mode when no sinkdevice is connected to the port associated with that integrated powerdelivery module.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of a prior-art multi-port charger 101that is connected to sink devices 112 a-b (e.g., cell phones). Themulti-port charger 101 includes two independent charger circuits. Afirst one of the independent charger circuits of the multi-port charger101 includes an AC-to-DC (“AC/DC”) power converter circuit 102 a, anAC-to-DC power converter control circuit 104 a, a DC-to-DC (“DC/DC”)power converter circuit 106 a, and a USB-PD control circuit (“PDcontrol”) 108 a, connected as shown. A second one of the independentcharger circuits of the multi-port charger 101 includes an AC-to-DCpower converter circuit 102 b, an AC-to-DC power converter controlcircuit 104 b, a DC-to-DC power converter circuit 106 b, and a USB-PDcontrol circuit (“PD control”) 108 b, connected as shown. Each of theindependent charger circuits of the multi-port charger 101 receives anAC voltage AC_(in) and produces a respective DC voltage Vin^(a) andVin^(b) therefrom. The DC-to-DC power converter circuits 106 a and 106 brespectively receive the DC voltages Vin^(a) and Vin^(b) and produce arespective USB bus voltage VBUS^(a) and VBUS^(b) therefrom. The USB-PDcontrol circuit 108 a produces signals CC1^(a), CC2^(a), D+^(a), andD−^(a), in accordance with the USB-PD standard. Similarly, the USB-PDcontrol circuit 108 b produces signals CC1^(a), CC2^(b), D+^(b), andD−^(b), in accordance with the USB-PD standard. As mentioned above, tocomply with the maximum power limit of the multi-port charger 101, eachof the independent charger circuits therein is conventionally powerlimited such that each only provides a fixed percentage of the maximumpower limit.

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic of a multi-port charger 201 withconfigurable and adaptive power-sharing that is connected to sinkdevices 212 p-q (e.g., cell phones), in accordance with someembodiments. The multi-port charger 201 includes a single AC-to-DC(“AC/DC”) power converter 202, a single AC-to-DC control circuit 204,and multiple integrated power delivery modules (“Integrated PD Module”,or “IPD Module”) 220 p-q. Each port, p through q, of the multi-portcharger 201 has a corresponding respective integrated PD module thatincludes a respective USB PD controller circuit, a respective modulecontroller circuit, and a respective switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter, as described below.

The sink device 212 p is electrically and communicatively coupled toport p of the multi-port charger 201 by the integrated PD module 220 p.Similarly, the sink device 212 q is electrically and communicativelycoupled to port q of the multi-port charger 201 by the integrated PDmodule 220 q. Some elements of the multi-port charger 201 have beenomitted to simplify the description thereof but would be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art to be present.

As shown, the single AC-to-DC power converter 202 receives an AC inputvoltage AC_(in) and produces a shared DC voltage rail Vin therefrom.Each of the integrated PD modules 220 p through 220 q receives the DCvoltage Vin and respectively produces a USB bus voltage VBUS^(p) throughVBUS^(q) therefrom using an integrated switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter circuit. The integrated PD module 220 p produces signalsCC1^(p), CC2^(p), D+^(p), and D-P at port p, in accordance with theUSB-PD standard. Similarly, the integrated PD module 220 q producessignals CC1^(q), CC2^(q), D+^(q), and D−^(q), in accordance with theUSB-PD standard. As shown by a line therebetween, the integrated PDmodule 220 p and the integrated PD module 220 q are advantageouscommunicatively coupled to each other via a digital communication bus“Comm (SDA/SCL)” (e.g., a serial or parallel data bus, such as a databus that adheres to the I2C or SPI standard). Because the integrated PDmodule 220 p and the integrated PD module 220 q are communicativelycoupled to each other, the integrated PD modules 220 p-q are operable tocommunicate with one another to continually and adaptively update theamount of power delivered to each port of the multi-port charger 201with fine control.

By comparison, some conventional distributed solutions eithercommunicate an available amount of power using a shared analog bushaving fixed resistor values or may communicate with a single powerdelivery coordination circuit. Such conventional solutions lack theflexibility, configurability, and granularity of control as compared tothe integrated PD modules disclosed herein. For example, someconventional multi-port chargers may be operable to distribute a fixedamount of power between multiple sink devices, but may not be able toadjust how much power a first sink device is receiving based on changingdevice priorities and/or the status of two or more second sink devicesconnected to the multi-port charger.

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic of a circuit 300 that includes anintegrated PD module 320 that is similar to the integrated PD modules220 p-q of the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2 , in accordancewith some embodiments. The circuit 300 generally includes the integratedPD module 320, resistors R1-R5, capacitors C1-C7, a switch M1, aninductor L1, and thermistor Rtherm. Also shown are signal nodes of thecircuit 300, which include signal and voltage nodes designated as VIN,AVIN, VREG, AVREG, VDD1P5, EN, SDA, SCL, ALERT, PGOOD, RCO, RC1,RC2/NTC, CC1, CC2, DP, DM, VBUS, DISCSW, ISNS, VOUTSNS, BOOT, PH, PGND,AGND, and NTC/GPIO. Description of some of the nodes shown in FIG. 3 areomitted herein for brevity.

The nodes designated CC1 and CC2 are part of a configuration andcommunication channel for USB-PD communication with a sink device, thenodes designated DP and DM comprise a communication channel for USB-PDfast charging communication with a sink device, and the node designatedVBUS of a USB voltage bus provides an output voltage to a sink device aswell as serving as voltage sense line, as shown in FIG. 4A. The nodedesignated as PH is a phase switch node for a switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter that is advantageously internal to the circuit 300 asdescribed below. The inductor L1 and the capacitor C7 provide an outputfilter stage of the internal switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter.

The nodes RCO, RC1, and RC2/NTC are resistor configuration nodes used toset operational parameters of the integrated PD module 320, which aredescribed in more detail below. The node NTC/GPIO is operable to beconnected to a temperature sensing circuit (e.g., a thermistor) toprovide a temperature measurement of, or near to, the integrated PDmodule 320.

Also shown are signals designated as CC1 Signals, CC2 Signals, D+Signals, D− Signals, a VIN Voltage, a VBUS Voltage, and a PH Signal.Some elements and signals of the circuit 300 have been omitted tosimplify the description thereof but would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to be present. Details of the integrated PDmodule 320 are described below.

FIG. 4A is a simplified schematic of a portion of the integrated powerdelivery module 320 shown in FIG. 3 , in accordance with someembodiments. As shown, the integrated power delivery (PD) module 320generally includes a module controller 402 (e.g., implemented using amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, an FPGA, and/or an ASIC), aswitch-mode DC-to-DC (“DC/DC”) power converter 404 (e.g., implemented asa switched buck-mode converter utilizing eternal components L1 and C7),a USB-PD Controller (“PD controller”) 406 to provide an adjustable DCoutput voltage, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memory blocks408 which may be part of the module controller 402 and/or the PDcontroller 406 or may be one or more separate modules, multipleanalog-to-digital (“ADC”) converter circuits 410, programmaticallycontrolled termination (Pull-up/Pull-down) resistors (e.g. Rp) (“PU/PDResistors”) 412, and a signal multiplexing circuit (“MUX”) 414,connected as shown. Some elements of the integrated PD module 320 havebeen omitted to simplify the description thereof but would be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art to be present. Also shown arecontrol signals CTRL¹⁻⁴, a configuration signal CFG(n), the previouslyintroduced USB protocol signals designated as CC1 Signals, CC2 Signals,VBUS Voltage, D+ Signals, D− Signals, analog current sense ISNS signals,analog voltage sense VOUTSNS signals, an analog USB bus voltage sensesignal VBUS Voltage, analog temperature measurement sense NTC/GPIOSignals, a digital representation of the analog current sense signalISNS(n), a digital representation of the analog voltage sense signalVOUTSNS(n), a digital representation of the USB bus voltage VBUSV(n), adigital representation of an analog temperature measurement signalNTC(n), the phase node signal PH from the DC-to-DC power convertercircuit 404, and communication signals SDA/SCL of a digitalcommunication bus designated as Comm. Also shown are previouslyintroduced nodes SDA, SCL, PH, VBUS, CC1, CC2, DP, DM, ISNS, VOUTSNS,and NTC/GPIO.

The memory block 408 is advantageously operable to store programmable(e.g., from an external interface, not shown) configurations of theintegrated PD module 320, such as a maximum or total allowable powerthat can be delivered by the integrated PD module 320. The modulecontroller 402 is operable to retrieve the programmable configurationsfrom the memory block 408 via the configuration signal CFG(n) and tocontrol the PD controller 406 and the DC-to-DC power converter circuit404 in accordance with the retrieved programmable configurations. Themodule controller 402 is also operable to communicate with respectivemodule controllers of other integrated power delivery modules of amulti-port charger, e.g., using communication signals SDA/SCL over thedigital communication bus Comm, to continually and adaptively controlhow much power may be provided to a connected sink device by eachintegrated PD module 320. The module controller 402 advantageouslyenables each integrated PD module 320 of a multi-port charger to beconfigured to precisely deliver a desired amount of power to a connectedsink device.

The ADC circuit 410 includes multiple ADC circuits, or one or moremultiplexed ADC circuits, and is operable to receive analog signals andto create digital representations thereof. As shown, the ADC circuit 410receives an analog current sense signal ISNS, an analog output voltagesense signal VOUTSNS, an analog VBUS voltage, and an analog temperaturesense signal NTC/GPIO. The ADC circuit 410 uses the aforementionedreceived analog signals to create respective digital representationsISNS(n), VOUTSNS(n), VBUSV(n), and NTC(n).

The PD controller 406 is operable to use the respective digitalrepresentations for making USB control and policy decisions and isfurther operable to transmit the respective digital representations tothe module controller 402. The module controller is operable to use thedigital representations of the current sense signal ISNS(n) and thedigital representation of the VBUS Voltage VBUSV(n) to calculate (e.g.,by multiplying the values thereof) an actual amount of power that isbeing provided by the DC-to-DC power converter 404 to a sink device.Each PD controller 406 advantageously receives digital signals ISNS(s)and VBUSV(n) which are representative of sensed current and voltage,respectively, to manage power delivery to the sink device by controllingthe DC-to-DC power converter 404 and/or the power contract establishedwith the sink device.

The PD controller 406 includes modules (not shown) that implement theUSB Power Delivery (PD) protocol to exchange commands and messages tonegotiate and establish power contracts between each integrated PDmodule 320 and a sink device connected thereto, such as a mobile phoneor notebook. The PD controller 406 communicates with the modulecontroller 402 to advantageously coordinate and negotiate powerdistribution between other respective PD controllers 406. As shown inFIG. 4A, each PD controller 406 is operable to communicate with a sinkdevice via the CC1, CC2, DP, and DM nodes.

Some sink devices require constant current and some sink devices requireconstant voltage. How much voltage and current is needed by a particularconnected sink device is communicated by the PD controller 406 to themodule controller 402, and the module controller 402 determines if themulti-port charger has enough available power remaining to deliver forthat request. The module controller 402 communicates (e.g., periodicallysuch as every 5 second, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or another appropriateamount of time, or in response to an event) with module controllers ofthe other integrated PD controllers to determine the current status oftotal power already delivered and to calculate how much additionalcharger power remains available. The module controller 402 is furtheroperable to continuously and optimally re-distribute power contracts toalready connected sink devices of the multi-port charger based onchanging priorities or status events of the connected sink devices. Themodule controller 402 and the PD controller 406 thereby advantageouslymanage power sharing and power allocation and power re-balancing for amulti-port charger to ensure that the total power delivered to all portswill not exceed the total power capacity of the multi-port charger.

The PD controller 406 is operable to generate an output voltage setpointof the DC-to-DC power converter 404, using the control signal CTRL′,such that the power provided to a sink device connected to theintegrated PD module 320 is advantageously only slightly above, withinsome margin, to what the sink device requires, thereby increasing energyefficiency as compared to conventional solutions.

The PD controller 406 and module controller 402 of each of theintegrated PD modules 320 are advantageously aware of all port statusesof the multi-port charger 201. Therefore, in some embodiments, the PDcontroller 406 and/or the module controller 402 are aware if no ports ofthe multi-port charger 201 are connected to sink devices and areoperable to place each DC-to-DC power converter into a low-power standbymode.

In some embodiments, the module controller 402 manages power balancingto each port of the multi-port charger 201 in granular steps, such as 2W per 10 seconds, and power balancing is advantageously performedwithout the need for port resets and/or re-established handshakes.

The module controller 402 also advantageously communicates to theDC-to-DC power converter 404 via control signal CTRL when one or moresink devices of the multi-port charger are not USB-PD compliant but isinstead a normal battery charger load. In such instances, the DC-to-DCpower converter 404 is set by the module controller 402 to a fixed powerinitially and then updated periodically. For example, the DC-to-DC powerconverter 404 may increase the power delivered to a load by 2 W everyseconds if power is still available.

The PD controller 406 and/or the module controller 402 areadvantageously operable to use the digital representations ISNS(n) andVBUSV(n) to continually and adaptively determine (e.g., by multiplyingthe values thereof) and control an actual amount power that is deliveredby the integrated PD module 320 by communicating with other integratedpower delivery modules of a multi-port charger circuit. By comparison,some conventional solutions may use a shared analog power line todetermine how much power is being delivered by the combined conventionalpower delivery modules. As disclosed herein, by calculating, using themodule controller 402, how much power is being delivered by a respectiveintegrated PD module 320, the module controller has greater flexibilityin being able to change operating modes based on user configurations andpreferences. For example, based on which type of sink device isconnected to a particular integrated PD module 320, the modulecontroller 420 thereof may adaptively control maximum and minimum powerdelivery settings.

FIG. 4B is a simplified schematic of a circuit providing select detailsof the DC-to-DC power converter circuit 404 included in the circuitshown in FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, theDC-to-DC power converter circuit 404 includes a buck convertercontroller 422, a ramp-generator circuit 424, an on-time generatorcircuit 426, a signal summation circuit 428, a reference voltagegenerator circuit 430, a high-side (“HS”) gate driver circuit 440 for ahigh-side switch MH, a low-side (“LS”) gate driver circuit 442 for alow-side switch ML, a low-side FET current sense circuit 444, and afault management circuit 446, connected as shown. Also shown are thepreviously introduced nodes RCO, VIN, PH, PGND, and VOUT, as well assignals CTRL³, OC, PH Signal, VREF, VIN, VOUT, and “fsw, t_(ss) Select”.

The reference voltage generator 430 is operable to receive the controlsignal CTR³ from the PD controller circuit 406 shown in FIG. 4A togenerate a reference voltage level VREF for configuring a desired VBUSoutput voltage based on a negotiated amount of power, voltage, and/orcurrent to be delivered to a sink device connected thereto. The PDcontroller is additionally operable to adjust the reference voltagelevel VREF in response to the digital representation ISNS(s) of a sensedoutput current generated by the DC-to-DC power converter circuit 404,the digital representation VOUTSNS(n) of a sensed output voltagegenerated by the DC-to-DC power converter circuit 404, and/or thedigital representation VBUSV(n) of a sensed USB bus voltage generated bythe DC-to-DC power converter circuit 404. The fault management circuitis operable to receive an overcurrent alert signal OC, the digitalrepresentation of the output voltage VOUTSNS(n), as well as othersignals, such as an indication that the input voltage is undervoltage(not shown) to halt or adjust the operation of the DC-to-DC powerconverter 404.

The buck converter controller circuit 422 is operable to receive thecontrol signal CTR² from the module controller 402 and/or the controlsignal CTRL³ from the PD controller circuit 406 shown in FIG. 4A tochange operating parameters and other configuration settings. Forexample, if the PD controller 406 determines that no sink device isconnected to the integrated PD module 320, the DC-to-DC power convertercircuit 404 may be placed in a low-power mode. In low-power mode, someor all switching signals of the DC-to-DC power converter 404 (e.g., ofthe ramp-generator circuit 424, and of the switches MH and ML) may bedisabled to conserve power. Additionally, the buck converter controllercircuit 422 is operable to receive configuration settings from node RCOthat include a maximum switching frequency fs, and soft start time tss,as well as configuration settings from the module controller 402 and/orthe PD controller 406.

As compared to conventional solutions, the DC-to-DC power converter 404is configurable on a per-port basis of a multi-port converter and theconfiguration settings may be updated on an ongoing basis as operationalconditions change.

FIG. 5 provides a portion of a simplified example process 500 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

At step 501, a maximum current for each port (i.e., p through q) of themulti-port charger 201 is set by the integrated PD modules 220 p-q to be1.5 A if a Type-C standard is used for those ports. In some embodiments,one of the integrated PD modules 220 p-q acts as a master controller,and each of the remaining integrated PD modules 220 p-q acts as arespective slave controller. Thus, in such embodiments, the masterintegrated PD module commands the slave integrated PD modules to performeach of the steps described herein. By comparison, some conventionalmulti-port chargers rely on a single policy controller circuit thatprovides power delivery settings to each power delivery module thereof.

At step 502, a maximum available power P_(available) that remains to bedistributed to all ports of the multi-port charger 201 is set to a totalallowable power P_(total) for the multi-port charger 201 (e.g., asspecified by programmable configurations stored at the memory block 408shown in FIG. 4 ). For example, if the maximum available powerP_(available) is equal to 15 W, 15 W may be distributed between theintegrated PD modules 220 p-q of the multi-port charger 201. In someembodiments, such distribution may be based on a fixed or changingpriority of the ports and/or the connected sink devices. The prioritymay advantageously be configured at the time of manufacturing (e.g.,based on a configuration resistor), may be programmatically configuredduring operation of the multi-port charger 201 (e.g., a programmedconfiguration setting may assign a particular port a greater priority),or may be based on a device identifier of a connected sink device (e.g.,a user may configure the multi-port charger such that their phone alwayshas a higher priority for charging as compared to a priority assigned tocharging wireless headphones). Additionally, port priority may beupdated automatically during the operation of the multi-port chargerbased on the status of connected sink devices as well as other factors,such as changing battery charge levels of respective batteries of thesink devices, port temperatures, a powered status of the connected sinkdevices (e.g., a sink device that is powered on may receive a higherpower allocation as compared to a sink device that is off and is merelybeing recharged), or other status.

For example, port p may be allocated a power output of P_(alloc) ^(p)=15W, and port q may be allocated a power output of p_(alloc) ^(q)=0 W. Or,port p may be allocated a power output of p_(alloc) ^(p)=10 W, and portq may be allocated a power output of p_(alloc) ^(q)=5 W. Or, port p maybe allocated a power output of p_(alloc) ^(p)=7.5 W, and port q may beallocated a power output of p_(alloc) ^(q)=7.5 W, and so on. Thisadaptive allocation occurs continually (e.g., every 5 s, 10 s, 15 s, orat another appropriate update rate) as the power requirements, status,and/or states of sink devices connected to the multi-port charger 201change. For example, if two sink devices having completely drainedbatteries are connected to the multi-port charger 201, a first sinkdevice connected to the master integrated PD module will initiallyreceive a maximum allocated power and a second sink device connected toa slave integrated PD module will initially receive a minimum allocatedpower. As the first sink device charges, the power required by that sinkdevice will decrease. As the power required by the first sink devicedecreases, the integrated PD modules of the multi-port charger 201adaptively increase the power delivered to the second sink device anddecrease the power delivered to the first sink device. In someembodiments, P_(available) is stored at a master integrated PD module ofthe multi-port charger 201. In other embodiments, P_(available) isstored at each integrated PD module of the multi-port charger 201.

At step 503, the total power allocated to each port p-q of themulti-port charger 201 is initialized to 0 W. At step 504, USB eventdetection is enabled at each port p-q of the multi-port charger 201. Atstep 506, each integrated PD module of the multi-port charger 201 waitsfor event detection at the port that corresponds to that integrated PDmodule. Flow may continue to step 508 or step 1202 (shown in FIG. 12 )based on which event was determined to have occurred. The series ofsteps 508 through 516 may be performed in series or in parallel with theseries of steps 1202 through 1214 shown in FIG. 12 .

Upon detecting a USB event at one or more ports at step 506, the stepsthat follow are described with reference to USB events detectedspecifically at port p of the multi-port charger 201 using theintegrated PD module 220 p for simplicity. However, similar, or the samesteps are followed for USB events detected at any of the other ports p-qof the multi-port charger 201.

At step 508, if a Type-C connection was detected at port p, flow of theprocess 500 continues to step 602 shown in FIG. 6 . Otherwise, flowcontinues to step 510. At step 510, if a USB Standard BC1.2 (USB BatteryCharging version 1.2) connection was detected at port p, flow of theprocess continues to step 702 shown in FIG. 7 . Otherwise, flowcontinues to step 512. At step 512, if a quick charge sink connectionwas detected at port p, flow of the process continues to step 902 shownin FIG. 9 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 514. At step 514, if powercontract negotiation is complete, in accordance with the USB-PDstandard, flow continues to step 1002 shown in FIG. 10 . Otherwise, flowcontinues to step 516. At step 516, if a sink device disconnection wasdetected at port p, flow continues to step 1102 shown in FIG. 11 .Otherwise, flow returns to step 506.

FIG. 6 provides a portion of a simplified example process 600 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 602 of the process 600 continues from step 508 shown in FIG. 5 andis performed in response to a determination at step 508 that a Type-Cconnection was detected at port p. At step 602, if it is determined bynegotiating between the module controllers 402 of the integrated PDmodules 220 p-q of the multi-port charger 201 using the digitalcommunication bus Comm that the maximum available power P_(available)that remains to be distributed between the ports of the multi-portcharger 201 is greater than or equal to a target amount of power (e.g.,15 W), flow continues to step 604. Otherwise, flow continues to step 802shown in FIG. 8 .

At step 604, a maximum current for port p is set to 3 A by configuringthe programmatically controlled termination resistors 412 and signalmultiplexing circuit 414, using the PD controller 406 via the controlsignal CTRL⁴, to values indicative of Rp 3.0 (e.g., about 10 k Ohms),per the USB-PD standard, and updating a setting of the DC-to-DC powerconverter 404 if needed). At step 606, the target allocated powerP_(alloc) ^(p) for port p is set to 15 W. As such, port p of themulti-port charger 201 will deliver up to, but no more than, 15 W ofpower to a sink device connected to port p of the multi-port charger 201and a setting of the DC-to-DC power converter 404 is updated accordinglyif needed. At step 608, because 15 W of power has been allocated to portp, the maximum available power P_(available) of remains the multi-portcharger 201 that to be distributed between the ports thereof is reducedby 15 W. The adjustment in maximum available power P_(available) iscommunicated to one or more other integrated PD modules 220 p-q by themodule controller 402 via the digital communication bus Comm. At step610, the USB-PD contract P_(contract) ^(p) for port p is set to 15 W, inaccordance with the USB-PD standard. At step 612, USB-PD contractnegotiation for port p is initiated by the integrated PD module inaccordance with the USB-PD standard. Flow of the process then returns tostep 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 provides a portion of a simplified example process 700 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 702 of the process 700 continues from step 510 shown in FIG. 5 andis conducted in response to a determination at step 510 that a BC1.2connection was detected at port p. At step 702, if it is determined thatthe power p_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p of the multi-port charger201 (i.e., via communication between the integrated PD modules thereofusing the digital communication bus Comm) is greater than or equal to atarget amount of power (e.g., 7.5 W), flow of the process 700 continuesto step 704. Otherwise, flow continues to step 802 shown in FIG. 8 . Atstep 704, quick charge detection is enabled for port p of the multi-portcharger 201. Flow of the process then continues back to step 506 shownin FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 provides a portion of a simplified example process 800 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 802 of the process 800 continues from either step 602 shown in FIG.6 , or from step 702 shown in FIG. 7 . At step 802, if it is determinedby negotiating between the module controllers 402 of the integrated PDmodules 220 p-q of the multi-port charger 201 using the digitalcommunication bus Comm that the maximum available power P_(available) ofthe multi-port charger 201 that remains to be distributed between theintegrated PD modules thereof is greater than or equal to a targetamount of power (e.g., 7.5 W), flow of the process 800 continues to step804. At step 804, the maximum available power P_(available) of themulti-port charger 201 that remains to be distributed to ports thereofis reduced by 7.5 W. The adjustment in maximum available powerP_(available) is communicated to one or more other integrated PD modules220 p-q by the module controller 402 via the digital communication busComm. At step 806, if it is determined that a USB Type-C connection wasdetected at port p, flow continues to step 816. At step 816, a maximumcurrent for port p is programmatically set to 1.5 A by configuring theprogrammatically controlled termination resistors 412 and signalmultiplexing circuit 414, using the PD controller 406 via the controlsignal CTRL⁴, to values indicative of Rp 1.5 (e.g., about 22 k Ohms),per the USB-PD standard. Conventional solutions may use fixed resistortermination resistor values, designated in the USB standard as Rp, whichdetermine a maximum current-carrying capability of a power source. Asdisclosed herein, the PD controller 406 is operable to adaptivelyadjust, by controlling the DC-to-DC power converter, how much currentcan be provided to a sink device by the integrated PD module.

At step 818, the target allocated power P_(alloc) ^(p) for port p is setto 7.5 W. At step 820, several flags are set by the PD controller 406for port p, including a Less Power Flag and a No PD Flag, in accordancewith the USB-PD standard. These flags are asserted when the powerrequested by a sink device cannot be supplied by the port associatedwith that sink device (e.g., not enough power has been allocated to thatport). The asserted flags indicate to the multi-port charger 201 thatmore power should be supplied to the sink device as more power becomesavailable. Flow then returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

If it was determined at step 802 that P_(available) is equal not greaterthan or to (i.e., is less than) 7.5 W, flow of the process 800 continuesto step 808 to advantageously reduce power allocated to another port ofthe multi-port charger 201. At step 808, the integrated PD modules ofthe multi-port charger 201 communicate between themselves using modulecontrollers 402 thereof via the digital communication bus Comm toidentify a port of the multi-port charger 201, (e.g., port q), thatcurrently has the maximum allocated power, e.g., P_(alloc) ^(q). Thatis, in this example, port q has the current maximum allocated power. Atstep 810, the allocated power P alloc q for port q is reduced by 7.5 W.At step 812, the USB-PD contract P_(contract) ^(q) for port q is set toP_(alloc) ^(q). At step 814, USB-PD contract negotiation for port q isinitiated by the integrated PD module associated with port q (e.g., theintegrated PD module 220 q), in accordance with the USB-PD standard.Flow of the process 800 then continues to step 806 which was describedabove. If it was determined at step 806 that the connection at port p isnot USB Type-C, flow continues to step 822. At step 822, the allocatedpower P_(alloc) ^(q) for port p is set to 7.5 W. At step 824, quickcharge detection is enabled for port p. Flow then returns to step 506shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 9 provides a portion of a simplified example process 900 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 902 of the process 900 continues from step 512 shown in FIG. 5 andis conducted in response to a determination at step 512 that a USB quickcharge sink device connection was detected at port p. If it isdetermined by negotiating between the module controllers 402 of theintegrated PD modules 220 p-q of the multi-port charger 201 using thedigital communication bus Comm that the maximum available powerP_(available) of the multi-port charger 201 that remains to bedistributed between the ports thereof is greater than or equal to atarget amount of power (e.g., 18 W) minus the power P_(alloc) ^(p)currently allocated to port p, flow of the process 900 continues to step904. At step 904, USB quick charge class A mode is enabled for port p,in accordance with the USB-PD standard. At step 906, the maximumavailable power P_(available) of the multi port charger 201 that remainsto be distributed between the ports thereof is reduced by 18 W and theamount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) previously allocated to port p is addedback to the maximum available power P_(available). The adjustment inmaximum available power P_(available) is communicated to one or moreother integrated PD modules 220 p-q by the module controller 402 via thedigital communication bus Comm. Accordingly, at step 908, the targetamount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p is updated to 18 W.Flow then returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

If it was determined at step 902 that the maximum available powerP_(available) of the multi-port charger 201 that remains to bedistributed to ports thereof is not greater than or equal to (i.e., isless than) 18 W minus the power P_(alloc) ^(p) currently allocated toport p, flow of the process 900 continues to step 910. At step 910, USBquick charge mode is disabled for port p, in accordance with the USB-PDstandard. Additionally, at step 912, several flags are set for port p,including a Set Less Power and No Quick Charge, in accordance with theUSB-PD standard. Flow then returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 10 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1000 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 1002 of the process 1000 continues from step 514 shown in FIG. 5and is conducted in response to a determination at step 514 thatcompletion of a USB power contract negotiation, in accordance with theUSB-PD standard, was detected at port p. Additionally, USB capabilitymismatch for the sink device at port p may have occurred. USB capabilitymismatch occurs when a sink device cannot satisfy its power requirementsfrom the capabilities offered by the source (i.e., the power deliveredby port p). At step 1002, the maximum available power P_(available) ofthe multi-port charger 201 that remains to be distributed between theports thereof is reduced by the negotiated power P_(contract), and theamount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) previously allocated to port p is addedback to the maximum available power P_(available). The adjustment inmaximum available power P_(available) is communicated to one or moreother integrated PD modules 220 p-q by the module controller 402 via thedigital communication bus Comm. Accordingly, at step 1004, the amount ofpower P_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p is updated to P_(contract).

At step 1006, if it is determined if a counter Temp^(p) of excesstemperature events for port p has exceeded a first excess temperatureevent count threshold T_(warn), or that the power P_(alloc) ^(p)allocated to port p is already equal to a maximum amount of powerP_(max) ^(p) that the integrated PD module at port p is able to deliver,flow of the process continues to step 1008. USB temperature eventdetection is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1200.

At step 1008, because the counter Temp^(p) of excess temperature eventswas greater than the first excess temperature event count thresholdT_(warn), the USB Capability Mismatch flag for the sink device at port pis ignored by the integrated PD module associated with port p. Flowcontinues to step 1010, where it is determined if the counter Temp^(p)of excess temperature events is greater than a second excess temperatureevent count threshold T_(critical). If the counter Temp^(p) of excesstemperature events is greater than a second excess temperature eventcount threshold T_(critical), at step 1012, USB-PD is disabled for portp. Flow then returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

If it was determined at step 1006 that the counter Temp^(p) of excesstemperature events for port p had not exceeded the first excesstemperature event count threshold T_(warn), and that the power P_(alloc)^(p) allocated to port p was not already equal to the maximum amount ofpower P_(max) ^(p) that the integrated PD module at port p is able todeliver, flow of the process continues to step 1014. At step 1014, theUSB capability mismatch field is copied by the associated integrated PDmodule (i.e., it is not ignored by the integrated PD module associatedwith port p). At step 1016, a flag indicating that the PD contractnegotiation at port p is complete is set at the associated integrated PDmodule. Flow additionally continues to step 1016 from step 1010,described above, if it was determined at step 1010 that the counterTemp^(p) of excess temperature events is not greater than a secondexcess temperature event count threshold T_(critical). At step 1018,capabilities for ports of the multi-port charger 201 other than port pare unmasked by the integrated PD modules of the multi-port charger 201.Flow of the process then returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 11 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1100 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 1102 of the process 1100 continues from step 516 shown in FIG. 5and is performed in response to a determination at step 516 that a USBsink device disconnection has been detected at port p. At step 1102, theamount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) that was previously allocated to port pis added back to the maximum available power P_(available) that remainsto be distributed between the ports thereof. The adjustment in maximumavailable power P_(available) is communicated to one or more otherintegrated PD modules 220 p-q by the module controller 402 via thedigital communication bus Comm. At step 1104, the amount of powerP_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p is updated to 0 W (because no sinkdevice is connected at port p). At step 1106, a maximum current for portp is programmatically set to 1.5 A by configuring the programmaticallycontrolled termination resistors 412 and signal multiplexing circuit414, using the PD controller 406 via the control signal CTRL⁴, to valuesindicative of Rp 1.5 (e.g., about 22 k Ohms), per the USB-PD standard ifport p is configured as USB Type-C. At step 1108, any status flags andcounters that were associated with the sink device previously connectedto port p, such as the counter Temp^(p) of excess temperature events,are cleared by the integrated PD module associated with port p. At step1110, USB capability mismatch is unmasked, per the USB-PD standard, forports other than port p.

In some embodiments, at step 1112, the integrated PD module associatedwith port p is advantageously operable to place the DC-to-DC powerconverter therein into a low-power consumption mode until a sink deviceis connected to port p. For example, the DC-to-DC power converter may beplaced in a standby mode in which switching signals are disabled,thereby increasing an overall power efficiency of the multi-port charger201 as compared to chargers that do enter a low-power mode. Flow of theprocess then returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 12 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1200 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

The steps of process 1200 continue from step 506 shown in FIG. 5 . Atstep 1202, if an excess temperature warning event Temp_(warn) wasdetected at port p by an associated integrated PD module, flow continuesto step 1302, shown in FIG. 13 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 1204.At step 1204, if a normal temperature event Temp_(normal) was detectedat port p by an associated integrated PD module, flow continues to step1402, shown in FIG. 14 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 1206. At step1206, if a critical temperature event Temp_(critical) was detected atport p by an associated integrated PD module, flow continues to step1502, shown in FIG. 15 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 1208. At step1208, if a sink capabilities event P_(sinkcap) was detected at port p byan associated integrated PD module, flow continues to step 1602, shownin FIG. 16 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 1210.

At step 1210, if it is determined, (e.g., using the controller modulesthereof via the digital communication bus Comm), that a USB Less Power,No PD, flag is set for any port of the multi-port charger 201, and thatthe maximum available power P_(available) that remains to be distributedbetween the ports thereof is greater than or equal to 7.5 W, flowreturns to step 604 shown in FIG. 6 . Otherwise, flow continues to step1212.

At step 1212, if it is determined, (e.g., using the controller modulesthereof via the digital communication bus Comm), that a USB Less Power,No Quick Charge, flag is set for any port of the multi-port charger 201and that the maximum available power P_(available) that remains to bedistributed between the ports thereof is greater than or equal to 18 Wminus the amount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p, flowreturns to step 904 of FIG. 9 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 1214.

At step 1214, if it is determined, (e.g., using the controller modulesthereof via the digital communication bus Comm), that a USB CapabilityMismatch flag is set for port p and that capability mismatch is unmaskedfor any port of the multi-port charger 201, flow continues to step 1702shown in FIG. 17 . Otherwise, flow returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 13 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1300 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 1302 of the process 1300 continues from step 1202 shown in FIG. 12and is conducted in response to a determination that an excesstemperature warning event Temp_(warn) was detected at port p by anassociated integrated PD module. At step 1302, if it is determined thatthe counter Temp^(p) of excess temperature events at port p is less thanthe first excess temperature event count threshold T_(warn), flow of theprocess continues to step 1304. At step 1304, the counter Temp^(p) ofexcess temperature events at port p is incremented. At step 1306, themaximum amount of power P_(max) ^(p) that the integrated PD module atport p is permitted to deliver is reduced to a lower power levelP_(lower) ^(p). At step 1308, the maximum available power P_(available)of remains the multi-port charger 201 that to be distributed betweenports thereof is reduced by the new lower power level P_(lower) ^(p) andthe amount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) previously allocated to port p isadded back to the maximum available power P_(available). The adjustmentin maximum available power P_(available) is communicated to one or moreother integrated PD modules 220 p-q by the module controller 402 via thedigital communication bus Comm. Accordingly, at step 1310, the amount ofpower P_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p is updated to P_(lower) ^(p).At step 1312, the USB-PD contract P_(contract) ^(p) for port p is set top_(alloc) ^(p). At step 1314, USB-PD contract negotiation for port p isinitiated by the integrated PD module associated with port p, inaccordance with the USB-PD standard. At step 1316, the integrated PDmodule associated with port p initiates a temperature re-check processfor the sink device connected to port p. Flow of the process thenreturns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

If it was determined at step 1302 that the counter Temp^(p) of excesstemperature events at port p is not less than (i.e., is greater than orequal to) the first excess temperature event count threshold T_(warn),flow of the process continues to step 1318. At step 1318, all flags andcounters associated with port p are cleared. At step 1320, the maximumamount of power P_(max) ^(p) that the integrated PD module at port p ispermitted to deliver is set to 15 W. At step 1322, the maximum availablepower P_(available) of the multi-port charger 201 that remains to bedistributed between the ports thereof is reduced by 15 W, and the amountof power P_(alloc) ^(p) previously allocated to port p is added back tothe maximum available power P_(available). The adjustment in maximumavailable power P_(available) is communicated to one or more otherintegrated PD modules 220 p-q by the module controller 402 via thedigital communication bus Comm. Accordingly, at step 1324, the amount ofpower P_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p is updated to 15 W. At step1326, a hard reset, in accordance with the USB-PD standard, is initiatedby the integrated PD module associated with port p. Flow of the processthen returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 14 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1400 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular step, the order inwhich the step is performed, and the combination of the step with othersteps disclosed herein are shown for illustrative and explanatorypurposes only. Other embodiments can implement different particularsteps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achieve similarfunctions or results.

Step 1402 of the process 1400 continues from step 1204 shown in FIG. 12and is conducted in response to a determination that a normaltemperature event Temp_(normal) was detected at port p by an associatedintegrated PD module. Accordingly, at step 1402, the counter Temp^(p) ofexcess temperature events at port p is reset to 0. Flow of the processthen returns to step 506 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 15 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1500 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 1502 of the process 1500 continues from step 1206 shown in FIG. 12and is conducted in response to a determination that a critical excesstemperature event Temp_(critical) was detected at port p by anassociated integrated PD module. At step 1502, the counter Temp^(p) ofexcess temperature events at port p is reset to 0. At step 1504, amaximum current for port p is set to 3 A by configuring theprogrammatically controlled termination resistors 412 and signalmultiplexing circuit 414, using the PD controller 406 via the controlsignal CTRL⁴, to values indicative of Rp 3.0 (e.g., about 10 k Ohms),per the USB-PD standard. At step 1506, the maximum available powerP_(available) of the multi-port charger 201 that remains to bedistributed between the ports thereof is reduced by 15 W and the amountof power P_(alloc) ^(p) previously allocated to port p is added back tothe maximum available power P_(available). The adjustment in maximumavailable power P_(available) is communicated to one or more otherintegrated PD modules 220 p-q by the module controller 402 via thedigital communication bus Comm. Accordingly, at step 1508, the amount ofpower P_(alloc) ^(p) allocated to port p is updated to 15 W. At step1510, the USB-PD contract P_(contract) ^(p) for port p is set to 15 W.At step 1512, USB-PD contract negotiation for port p is initiated by theintegrated PD module associated with port p, in accordance with theUSB-PD standard. Flow of the process then returns to step 506 shown inFIG. 5 .

FIG. 16 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1600 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular steps, the orderof steps, and the combination of steps are shown for illustrative andexplanatory purposes only. Other embodiments can implement differentparticular steps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achievesimilar functions or results.

Step 1602 of the process 1600 continues from step 1208 shown in FIG. 12and is conducted in response to a P sin k cap power event being detectedat port p by the associated integrated PD module. At step 1602, if it isdetermined that the P sin k cap power is greater than the maximumavailable power P_(available) of the multi port charger 201 that remainsto be distributed between the ports, plus the amount of power P_(alloc)^(p) previously allocated to port p, flow returns to step 506 shown inFIG. 5 . Otherwise, flow continues to step 1604. At step 1604, themaximum available power P_(available) of the multi port charger 201 thatremains to be distributed between the ports thereof is reduced by theP_(sinkcap) power, and the amount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) previouslyallocated to port p is added back to the maximum available powerP_(available). The adjustment in maximum available power P_(available)is communicated to one or more other integrated PD modules 220 p-q bythe module controller 402 via the digital communication bus Comm.Accordingly, at step 1606, the amount of power P_(alloc) ^(p) allocatedto port p is updated to P_(sinkcap). At step 1608, the USB-PD contractP_(contract) ^(p) for port p is set to P_(alloc) ^(p). At step 1610,USB-PD contract negotiation for port p is initiated by the integrated PDmodule associated with port p, in accordance with the USB-PD standard.At step 1612, a Capability Mismatch flag for port p is cleared by theintegrated PD module associated with port p. Flow of the process thenreturns to step 506 of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 17 provides a portion of a simplified example process 1700 foradaptive power-sharing using the multi-port charger 201 shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments. The particular step, the order inwhich the step is performed, and the combination of the step with othersteps disclosed herein are shown for illustrative and explanatorypurposes only. Other embodiments can implement different particularsteps, orders of steps, and combinations of steps to achieve similarfunctions or results.

Step 1702 of the process 1700 continues from step 1214 shown in FIG. 12and is conducted in response to determining by the integrated PD moduleassociated with port p that a Capability Mismatch flag has been set forport p and that capability mismatch is unmasked for any port of themulti-port charger 201. In response, at step 1702, the integrated PDmodule associated with port p initiates a USB GetSinkCapabilities eventfor port p to receive P_(sinkcap) power for the sink device connected toport p, in accordance with the USB-PD standard.

Reference has been made in detail to embodiments of the disclosedinvention, one or more examples of which have been illustrated in theaccompanying figures. Each example has been provided by way ofexplanation of the present technology, not as a limitation of thepresent technology. In fact, while the specification has been describedin detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it willbe appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining anunderstanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. For instance,features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be usedwith another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it isintended that the present subject matter covers all such modificationsand variations within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents. These and other modifications and variations to the presentinvention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art,without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is moreparticularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing descriptionis by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-port charger, comprising: an AC-to-DCpower converter that receives an AC input voltage and generates a DCoutput voltage therefrom; and a plurality of integrated power deliverymodules electrically coupled to the AC-to-DC power converter and insignal communication with a digital communication bus; wherein each ofthe integrated power delivery modules comprises: a module controller insignal communication with the digital communication bus; a USB-PDcontroller (“PD controller”) in signal communication with the modulecontroller and which is configured to be connected to a sink deviceadhering to a USB standard; a switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter insignal communication with the module controller and the PD controllerand which is configured to provide an adjustable output voltage to thesink device via a USB voltage bus; a first analog-to-digital converter(ADC) circuit in signal communication with the PD controller and the USBvoltage bus to generate a digital representation of the output voltageprovided by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device;and a second ADC circuit in signal communication with the PD controllerand the USB voltage bus to provide a digital representation of an outputcurrent provided by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sinkdevice.
 2. The multi-port charger of claim 1, wherein: a firstintegrated power delivery module of the plurality of integrated powerdelivery modules is configured to determine a first target amount ofpower to be provided to a first sink device connected thereto by i)negotiating with the first sink device using a first PD controller ofthe first integrated power delivery module, and ii) negotiating withrespective second module controllers of one or more second integratedpower delivery modules of the plurality of integrated power deliverymodules via the digital communication bus using a first modulecontroller of the first integrated power delivery module.
 3. Themulti-port charger of claim 2, wherein: the first integrated powerdelivery module generates a digital representation of an actual amountof power delivered to the first sink device by the switch-mode DC-to-DCpower converter using the digital representation of the output voltageand the digital representation of an output current; and the firstintegrated power delivery module is configured to communicate thedigital representation of the actual amount of power delivered to thefirst sink device to the second integrated power delivery modules viathe digital communication bus using the first module controller toupdate an available amount of power that can be delivered by themulti-port charger.
 4. The multi-port charger of claim 2, wherein: thefirst integrated power delivery module is configured to set theadjustable output voltage of a first switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter of the first integrated power delivery module in accordancewith the target amount of power via the first PD controller.
 5. Themulti-port charger of claim 4, wherein: upon determining, by the firstPD controller, that the first sink device has been disconnected from thefirst integrated power delivery module, setting the first switch-modeDC-to-DC power converter to a standby mode, the standby mode comprisingdisabling switching signals of the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter.6. The multi-port charger of claim 2, wherein: a first programmableconfiguration stored at one or more respective memory modules of theplurality of integrated power delivery modules specifies a totalallowable power that may be delivered by the multi-port charger; asecond integrated power delivery module of the one or more secondintegrated power delivery modules is configured to negotiate a secondtarget amount of power to be provided to a second sink device connectedthereto by i) negotiating with the second sink device using a second PDcontroller of the second integrated power delivery module, and ii)negotiating with the first integrated power delivery module via thedigital communication bus using a second module controller of the secondintegrated power delivery module; and a summation of the first targetamount of power and the second target amount of power is less than orequal to the total allowable power.
 7. The multi-port charger of claim6, wherein: upon determining by the second integrated power deliverymodule, from the first PD controller, that a third amount of powershould be provided to the first sink device: the second integrated powerdelivery module is configured to negotiate a fourth target amount ofpower to be provided to the second sink device connected thereto by i)negotiating with the second sink device using the second PD controllerof the second integrated power delivery module, and ii) negotiating withthe first integrated power delivery module via the digital communicationbus using the second module controller of the second integrated powerdelivery module; and a summation of the third target amount of power andthe fourth target amount of power is less than or equal to the totalallowable power.
 8. The multi-port charger of claim 7, wherein: each ofthe integrated power delivery modules comprises a third ADC circuit insignal communication with the PD controller and temperature sensingcircuit to generate a digital representation of a temperature value ofthat integrated power delivery module; and the third amount of power isbased on the digital representation of the temperature value.
 9. Themulti-port charger of claim 7, wherein: the third amount of power isbased on a charge level of a battery of the first sink device.
 10. Themulti-port charger of claim 7, wherein: the third amount of power isbased on a priority of the first sink device as compared to the secondsink device.
 11. An integrated power delivery module, comprising: amodule controller in signal communication with a digital communicationbus; a USB-PD controller (“PD controller”) in signal communication withthe module controller and which is configured to be connected to a sinkdevice adhering to a USB standard; a switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter in signal communication with the module controller and the PDcontroller and which is configured to receive an input voltage and toprovide an adjustable output voltage to the sink device via a USBvoltage bus; a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit in signalcommunication with the PD controller and the USB voltage bus to generatea digital representation of the output voltage provided by theswitch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device; and a secondADC circuit in signal communication with the PD controller and the USBvoltage bus to provide a digital representation of an output currentprovided by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to the sink device.12. The integrated power delivery module of claim 11, wherein: a firstintegrated power delivery module of a plurality of integrated powerdelivery modules is configured to determine a first target amount ofpower to be provided to a first sink device connected thereto by i)negotiating with the first sink device using a first PD controller ofthe first integrated power delivery module, and ii) negotiating withrespective second module controllers of one or more second integratedpower delivery modules of the plurality of integrated power deliverymodules via the digital communication bus using a first modulecontroller of the first integrated power delivery module.
 13. Theintegrated power delivery module of claim 12, wherein: the firstintegrated power delivery module is configured to generate a digitalrepresentation of an actual amount of power delivered to the first sinkdevice by the switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter using the digitalrepresentation of the output voltage and the digital representation ofan output current; and the first integrated power delivery module isconfigured to communicate the digital representation of the actualamount of power delivered to the first sink device to the secondintegrated power delivery modules via the digital communication bususing the first module controller to update an available amount of powerthat can be delivered by the plurality of integrated power deliverymodules.
 14. The integrated power delivery module of claim 12, wherein:the first integrated power delivery module is configured to set theadjustable output voltage of a first switch-mode DC-to-DC powerconverter of the first integrated power delivery module in accordancewith the target amount of power via the first PD controller.
 15. Theintegrated power delivery module of claim 14, wherein: upon determining,by the first PD controller, that the first sink device has beendisconnected from the first integrated power delivery module, settingthe first switch-mode DC-to-DC power converter to a standby mode, thestandby mode comprising disabling switching signals of the switch-modeDC-to-DC power converter.
 16. The integrated power delivery module ofclaim 12, wherein: a first programmable configuration stored at one ormore respective memory modules of the plurality of integrated powerdelivery modules specifies a total allowable power that may be deliveredby the plurality of integrated power delivery modules; a secondintegrated power delivery module of the one or more second integratedpower delivery modules is configured to negotiate a second target amountof power to be provided to a second sink device connected thereto by i)negotiating with the second sink device using a second PD controller ofthe second integrated power delivery module, and ii) negotiating withthe first integrated power delivery module via the digital communicationbus using a second module controller of the second integrated powerdelivery module; and a summation of the first target amount of power andthe second target amount of power is less than or equal to the totalallowable power.
 17. The integrated power delivery module of claim 16,wherein: upon determining by the second integrated power deliverymodule, from the first PD controller, that a third amount of powershould be provided to the first sink device: the second integrated powerdelivery module is configured to negotiate a fourth target amount ofpower to be provided to the second sink device connected thereto by i)negotiating with the second sink device using the second PD controllerof the second integrated power delivery module, and ii) negotiating withthe first integrated power delivery module via the digital communicationbus using the second module controller of the second integrated powerdelivery module; and a summation of the third target amount of power andthe fourth target amount of power is less than or equal to the totalallowable power.
 18. The integrated power delivery module of claim 17,wherein: each of the integrated power delivery modules comprises a thirdADC circuit in signal communication with the PD controller andtemperature sensing circuit to generate a digital representation of atemperature value of that integrated power delivery module; and thethird amount of power is based on the digital representation of thetemperature value.
 19. The integrated power delivery module of claim 17,wherein: the third amount of power is based on a charge level of abattery of the first sink device.
 20. The integrated power deliverymodule of claim 17, wherein: the third amount of power is based on apriority of the first sink device as compared to the second sink device.